The Telluride Horror Show 2025 once again delivered unforgettable indie horror in the shadow of the San Juan Mountains.
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In the valley of the San Juan Mountains, Telluride serves as a surreal backdrop for the annual Telluride Horror Show. This year’s cool, rainy weather set the perfect mood for a weekend dripped in indie horror cinema. Now in its 16th year, the festival once again transformed the mountain town into a moviegoing experience for horror fans.
If you’ve ever considered attending, I strongly encourage you to do so. The charming town alone is worth the trip. Tucked beneath Bridal Veil Falls, Telluride feels like a movie set itself. In October, the golden aspens and misty mountain air give the festival an otherworldly quality.
The Telluride Horror Show thrives on its commitment to independent horror, though a few larger titles creep into the lineup. Across features and shorts, the weekend offered plenty to scream about, including a few films that tested boundaries. After reviewing over 15 titles and speaking regularly with attendees, the following titles stood out the most.
Best of the Fest
Best of the Weekend – A Woman Called Mother
This Indonesian horror gem follows siblings Vira and Dino as they confront the strange transformation of their mother, who is possessed by a sinister entity. Blending folklore, emotion, and atmospheric elements, the film delivers jump scares met with haunting family drama. Its unconventional visuals and moral depth make it one of the most memorable and emotionally charged horror films of 2025. Catch this title ASAP. My personal favorite.
Best Indie Spirit – Mother of Flies
The Adams Family (Hellbender, Where the Devil Roams) is back with another must-see genre gem. Winner of the Cheval Noir Award at the Fantasia Film Festival, Mother of Flies is pure indie magic. It follows Mickey, a young student battling cancer who turns to a mysterious healer in the woods, only to uncover a dark, witchy environment complemented by a killer soundtrack. Grotesque, poetic, and seductive, the film captures everything great about true indie horror, such as eerie world-building, visuals of decay, and emotional valor. As soon as you see this title pop up, add it to your list.
Audience Favorite – Good Boy
This supernatural standout follows Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who can sense the spirit realm. Emotional and atmospheric, this tale challenges the traditional ghost story formula by telling it through the dog’s perspective. Viewers laughed, cried, and gasped in equal measure—especially during the haunting sequence where Indy “sniffs” a vision into existence. It’s heartfelt horror that lingers for days. Good Boy is sure to top many “Best of 2025” horror lists.
Hidden Gems
We Bury the Dead
A slow-burning zombie tale that turns the undead into a metaphor for grief and rage. Following Ava’s desperate search for her husband in a quarantined Tasmania, the film invites reflection as much as fear. Its deliberate pacing and bizarre realism make it one not to miss. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll be face to face with terror. Keep an eye out for this title hitting cinemas early 2026.
Dust Bunny
From Bryan Fuller (Hannibal) comes this surreal, whimsical horror adventure. Young Aurora hires a hitman (Mads Mikkelsen) to destroy the monster that devoured her parents. With Sigourney Weaver and a stylized New York dreamscape, Dust Bunny fuses the fantastic and the macabre for a delightfully chilling ride. Catch this one Winter 2025.
Shorts Spotlight
The shorts lineup delivered big thrills in small doses and provided curious glimpses into universes begging for expansion. Exceptional titles included:
- Inheritance – A family night of unpacking leads to the discovery of an object that reveals a portal to another realm.
- Animas Forks – Two hikers stumble upon a man chained in a haunted Colorado mining town, unearthing a sinister ritual.
- Nightfall – Grief and vengeance unravel when a guilt-ridden teen confronts a grieving mother.
- Heirlooms – A furniture restoration project turns grave when a hidden box reveals its dark secrets.
- Forever Liam – A budding romance takes a twisted turn amid a family’s grotesque preservation tradition (my personal favorite).
- Sleep Tight – A malevolent take on sleep paralysis where the entity is as audible as it is formidable.
Polarizing Picks
Not every title landed smoothly. A few crossed from unsettling into outright vile—testing just how far horror can push the viewer’s boundaries. Still, that tension is part of the Telluride Horror Show’s DNA: a festival unafraid to provoke, even when it divides the crowd.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Telluride Horror Show delivered fiercely entertaining feature films and shorts that offer something for everyone, with a particular focus on niche indie horror. From emotional ghost stories to grotesque shorts, the festival once again proves why it’s a must for horror enthusiasts. It’s a weekend of discovery, community, and unforgettable cinematic experiences, set in one of the most enchanting mountain towns in the country.
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